315. Telegram From the Embassy in Greece to the Department of State0
330. 1. Net impression of half hour talk with King Paul today, Crown Prince present, is that while steadfastly “on our side” he has been doing relatively little homework during past two months vacation on Corfu, with only occasional brief visits to mainland, and the grim potentials of advancing international situation have yet to sink in. (This tallies with information reaching us from other sources; it contrasts with word that Queen is deeply concerned.) Royal family, minus Crown Prince who remains as regent at government’s request, depart tomorrow [Page 615] for medical checkups in Munich and then Switzerland, to be gone two weeks. (Absence from country being shortened on urging of government.) King observed that he can always get back to Athens in three hours, should circumstances require.
2. King spoke highly of morale and readiness Greek Armed Forces, this in connection his visit to recent annual maneuvers in Kastoria area. He referred to Khrushchev’s threat to atomize Acropolis as having salutary effect of uniting “all Greeks except Communists” and with appreciation to Prime Minister’s response.1 He thinks incident far from intimidating people has solidified them; also that it has strengthened Caramanlis electoral prospects.
3. On elections, he said he does not believe Prime Minister has yet made up his mind since latter is somewhat reluctant schedule campaign in what may turn out be period international tension. He indicated Caramanlis decision might wait his return to Athens September 13. (All other evidence points to Caramanlis decision for autumn elections, with announcement probably to be made later this month.) Prime Minister himself has been absent capital for three weeks at Kamena Vourla; he ends vacation today, opens Thessaloniki Fair tomorrow and returns to Athens thereafter. Foreign Minister Averoff has been similarly absent at mountain home in Epirus; I expect see him tonight for first time since early August.
4. King also remarked that Moscow behavior has diminished chances of opposition making electoral deals with Communist EDA, and increased prospect that Papandreou (whom he is seeing prior departure) may succeed in forming combined opposition. (This of course will be all to the good—if it in fact develops.)
5. On Belgrade conference,2 King apparently uninformed but expressed hope participants wouldn’t get off track. He has not been in touch with any attending Chiefs of State.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 781.11/9–161. Secret; Limit Distribution.↩
- During an August 10 reception in Moscow, Premier Khrushchev told the Greek Ambassador that in the event of war the Soviet Union would use nuclear weapons against all NATO states, including Greece. Asked if he seriously contemplated the destruction of priceless cultural monuments like the Acropolis, Khrushchev replied that he would “destroy the whole thing.” (Telegram 503 from Moscow, August 11; ibid., 781.56311/8–1161)↩
- The Belgrade Conference of Non-Aligned States September 1–6.↩